Singing “You Give Love a Bad Name” by Bon Jovi. He’s having a great time. It’s his usual great performance. And hi, Allison.

KU: Killer! Loves that song. The end made it his own.

Jlo: feels like she’s at a rock concert. Caleb is ready for prime time.

HCJr: fantastic. Great way to open the show. But think about different ad libs.

I’m glad they’re not talking about Caleb’s interview and apology this week. He made a mistake by calling his fans the r-word, and he made it worse with a bad apology. Anything more would dig him deeper.

Ah. The theme is Break Ups, Make Us and Dedications. First song is Break Ups.

HCJr liked the performance very much because he took the song apart and rebuilt it. He loves that Alex does that each week.

KU: liked it, too. Has been looking for weight in his performances. He needs to be more commanding. I have no idea what KU is talking about.

JLo: loves that he’s himself. But he needs to create a moment. How can he top a Caleb or a Jena.

And Jena is going to graduate from high school with her class. Yeah, she’s the only one left from this year’s Idol High.

She’s singing Pat Benatar’s “Heartbreaker.” She rocks it.

KU: Killer singer, great range. He’s still looking for a full release inside the song, and it didn’t happen for him.

JLo: disagrees. Thought it was controlled and loved it. Commanding performance and loved it. Can’t wait to see how she grows.

HCJr: vocally, it was 10 out of 10. Wants the feeling to drive her. Maybe take her heels off?

Round two is dedications.

Caleb – “Travelin’ Band” by Creedance Clearwater Revival, dedicated to his band back home. Right smack where he lives. And he’s interacting with the Idol band the way he loves to do and does so well.

JLo: what can I say? So in his wheelhouse, so who he is. He’s gonna be tough to beat.

HCJr: how would it be if THAT were your traveling band?

KU is also effusive.

Wondering if they’re being that way to counter Caleb’s remarks?

Jessica is singing “So What” by P!nk, dedicated to those to gave her the job because they didn’t believe in her.

Oh, dear. Allison’s tour song. And she doesn’t have that attitude. All the pyro in the world won’t help. There’s just no anger and no defiance.

HCJr: I think you are terrific with an incredible voice. Was not the best song for you. Pulling for her for the third song.

KU: agrees. When you find the right song, you can tell that story.

JLo: also agrees.

Jena is singing “Bad Romance” by Lady Gaga, dedicated to friends back home. She has lasers! And she’s rocking it, but the lights are distracting.

KU: liked that she changed the melody for the chorus. Really, really good.

JLo: force to be reckoned with – giving Caleb a run for his money. Didn’t like she changed the melody. Came out of the song before it was over.

HCJr: nice job, really strong. Why did you not go high. She didn’t want to sound like she was yelling. “Nice job.”

Alex is doing “I’m Yours” by Jason Mraz, dedicated to his girlfriend, all his supporters and Jason himself.

Of course. It’s a perfect Alex song as written. And he sings it perfectly.

JLo: Loves him. Worries about him in this competition. He needs to surprise us.

HCjr: except the major 4 chord, you played a major 2. You didn’t change the song much. You need to put your spin on it.

KU: you had to learn four songs. Last 8 bars were when you were liberated.

It’s actually three songs, Keith.

It’s not enough to be good. They’re ALL good. They ALL deserve to be there. You also have to show you can do more than what makes you good. You have to leave your wheelhouse entirely. THIS is why the themes of the past worked. They forced contestants to sing things they NEVER would have otherwise. It’s what makes people shine.

Now it’s Making Up.

“Maybe I’m Amazed” by Paul McCartney. Huh. Let’s see how this goes.

This needs to be a bit modulated, I think. He’s shouting a song meant to be tender. And it’s not working.

Wow. Carole Bayer Sager

HCJr: Nice to hear him sing softly. Um?

KU: one of Nicole’s favorite songs. Nailed it.

Jlo: best performance since the beginning.

They REALLY don’t want him voted off.

Jessica is singing “You and I” by Lady Gaga.

Two Gaga songs tonight. And this is perfect for her. She’s feeling it. I’m enjoying it.

KU: perfect song for you. KILLER.

JLo: agrees.

HCJr: came out and killed it.

Jena is singing “I Can’t Help Falling In Love With You” by Elvis Presley. Jena is lovely. It’s gentle and sweet and she’s nailing the mood. Also, what just happened on my set. And this was mostly perfect.

Jlo just hugs her. And kisses her. Jena reinvented a song by the KING and she was moved.

HCJr: that took immense courage to perform to that song in that way, and it was rare. It was incredible.

KU: you are a “musical platypus” – spellbinding.

She shows she can sing what she wants to sing, how she wants to sing it.

Alex is singing “Yellow”by Coldplay. That was very pretty.

HCJr: you needed that. So happy to be a judge right now. Great performance.

KU: you do poetic vulnerability well.

JLo: perfect song, You sang it beautifully.

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About mamadeb

I'm a devoted fan of Adam Lambert, but also of cooking, knitting, science fiction and pretty anything pop culture. I'm @_mamadeb on Twitter.